About This Project

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

New and exciting research shows that our health depends on certain populations of gut bacteria that originate from our environment. Interestingly, there is little overlap between medical and soil science. We believe there is a considerable association between human health and how food is produced. Diversity of soil microbes keeps plants healthy because a biologically diverse soil can better deal with environmental stress. In the same way, the gut needs a diversity of microbes for our own optimum health. Microbes can be acquired through what we eat, but the question remains: do agricultural practices influence the presence and diversity of microbes on our food? The answer may lead to a greater awareness of the way we grow our food and the consequences to our health.

What is the significance of this project?

In light of recent studies showing the links between lack of gut bacteria variety and diseases such as autism and obesity, it is more important than ever to explore the source of microbial diversity in our diet. The study of own friendly bacteria (our microbiome) is the new research frontier in health and disease.

A greater diversity of gut flora increases resistance to disease, but where does this important variety of gut bacteria come from? Are we missing out on crucial microbes because of the way our fruits and vegetables are grown?

The way we farm and grow food (think pesticides and monocultures!) can affect the balance of microbes in the soil and therefore on the food we eat. Produce with less biological diversity may decrease our gut flora variety, which may affect our health.

What are the goals of the project?

1) Choose fruits and vegetables that are typically eaten raw.

2) Find out what types of bacteria are present on organic produce (from a small-scale farm, think farmer's market).

3) Find out what types of bacteria are present on conventional produce from a large scale industrial farm (just like what you might find in a grocery store)

4) Compare the two. The goal is to determine whether there is a difference in the variety of bacteria (not necessarily the amount), between organic and conventional produce.

5) If the pilot study shows that organic produce has greater microbial diversity (remember, the greater the variety of gut bacteria, the healthier the person), we will start a broader study that will include more fruits and vegetables, and take into account other interesting variables.